Springfield man convicted of workers’ comp fraud

A Springfield man has been sentenced to more than two years of probation after pleading guilty to workers’ compensation fraud.

Clark Howard pleaded guilty to a fifth-degree felony count of workers’ compensation fraud after an investigation from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

Howard was one of four recent fraud-related convictions by the BWC. The other three convictions were in Xenia, Columbus and Waynesfield.

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“We’re here to support injured workers as they try to get back to work and back to life, not supplement the income of able-bodied people cheating our system,” said Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Administrator and CEO Stephanie McCloud.

Howard was convicted after BWC investigators discovered him working for a pizza shop in London and as a machine press operator for another business.

A Franklin County judge ordered Howard to 30 months probation in lieu of a year of jail. Howard must also pay the BWC $13,518 in restitution.

To report suspected workers’ compensation fraud, contact 800-644-6292 or online at bwc.ohio.gov.

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